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Johann Maria Farina

Johann Maria Farina 1685-1766

Letter for one of the orders of Farinas new fragrance 1716 Invoice for Eau de Cologne 1763

Townhalltower in Cologne with staue of Johann Maria Farina, left side 2.floor

Statue of Johann Maria Farina in the Cologne's Town Hall.

Johann Maria Farina

Johann Maria Farina Street on Cologne

Bronze of Johann Maria Farina

Casa Farina in Santa Maria Maggiore

Via G.M.Farina in Santa Maria Maggiore

Gravestone of Johann Maria Farina in the Melaten-Friedhof cemetery in Cologne.

The Italian perfume maker John Maria Farina was born on December 8 1658, in the town of Santa Maria Maggiore located in a northern province known as the Piémont. He died on November 25th 1766 in Cologne, Germany. John Maria Farina settled down in Cologne in 1709 where he founded Farina gegenüber, the world?s oldest perfume factory still existing. His subtle fragrance Eau de Cologne became rapidly famous worldwide and in the 17th century this perfume was an indispensable accessory at all royal courts. In Farina?s days, the name Eau de Cologne would not have been misleading. The perfume maker chose to call his perfume after his new home town so as to honour it. Indeed, at the time when Farina first moved to Cologne, there were very strict laws as to incoming settlers. John Maria Farina was granted the citizenship and it was to show his gratitude, that he named his very first creation Eau de Cologne. This perfume being a real sensation at the time, contributed to Cologne?s global fame. This perfume would then never have been mistaken for another, it was the only existing Eau de Cologne on the market. The explanation as to why the perfume was given a French name is rather simple. In the 17th and 18th century, the French language was spoken in European high society and also used by tradesmen, which explains Farina?s decision. Copies of the perfume only appeared at the end of the 18th century. After the French revolution, Napoleon?s troupes occupied Cologne for a number of years and introduce freedom of trade. Trademarks didn?t yet exist which explains how it was possible for thousands of imitations to be released. It?s in those days that the name Farina chose to give his exclusive perfume was forever lost.